Case studies - Horses

As interesting cases develop, with animals presenting different symptoms and problems, a range of examples will be given here.  Particular areas where misalignments were found may be highlighted in these examples, however the whole of the animal is always assessed and treated.

Mahri – Mahri is a 7 year old mare owned by Kelly Benson. Kelly asked me to treat Mahri due to a change in her behaviour. Over several weeks she had begun to resent being mounted. When she was mounted she would shoot forwards and jog for the first ten minutes before she would settle down. The behaviour got worse resulting in Kelly being bucked off when mounting. On initial treatment I found a series of misalignments in one side of her neck and in her lumbar spine. There was significant muscular soreness either side of the withers and in the base of her neck. Several misalignments were found in the early thoracic area. I advised Kelly to have her saddle rechecked as I was not totally happy with the fit. Following treatment Mahri was rested for two days. Kelly then began some light work inhand, leaning over her back and putting weight in the saddle to help Mahri regain her confidence.

I checked Mahri again two weeks later. Kelly reported Mahri was now happy to stand at the mounting block and she was able to put weight on her back. Further treatment was required to treat minor misalignments, mainly in her neck. Muscular tightness was treated in the base of her neck. Kelly was advised on some gentle stretches to help increase flexion through her neck. The soreness around the withers and lumbar spine was much improved. I suggested Kelly gradually reintroduced some light work, initially long reining. Then with help on the ground, simply mounting once and dismounting, if Mahri was happy this could then be built up to five minutes walking in the school. I was delighted that Kelly reported back all was going well and Mahri had begun hacking and schooling. Mahri is a very sensitive horse and Kelly has since sought treatment if she has noticed any subtle changes in Mahri’s behaviour to prevent a significant problem developing.

Kelly explains… It has been an uphill

struggle to get Mahri right over the past few

months. One problem has resulted in a

couple of other problems and as Rachel

said Mahri is a sensitive horse and is easily

upset if she experiences any discomfort.

This has been a setback for Mahri's

schooling work. Rachel has given me a lot

of advice and helped make Mahri a lot more comfortable when being ridden and mounted. I feel that we are almost there with Mahri and she has come on so so much since she has been receiving Rachel's treatment, I hope as Mahri continues to get stronger we will be able to do more without being restricted.

A relaxed, supple horse working through the back